Bar review: Mine,Lan Kwai Fong – strong on concept, weak on spirits

The vibe: the theme for this latest opening by the Zinc Group is a gold mine in the Old West. The place is designed to look like a mine, with rough wooden walls, bar tables that feature a giant rusty bolt in the centre and mining memorabilia on the walls. Vintage photos of gold miners are projected on the back wall (music videos take over later in the evening once the DJ starts up). While more sensitive souls may have trouble with the idea that being down a mine would be fun, the concept is well realised – time, thought and money have gone into it – and service is professional.

The drinks: we tried two of the signature cocktails: Pink Sapphire (fresh watermelon juice, pineapple, rosemary, bourbon) and Wicked Potion (tequila, triple sec, grenadine, pomegranate juice). Served with straws in small carafes filled with crushed ice, both were heavy on sweetness and light on alcohol. The Wicked Potion sounded like an interesting take on a margarita, but the tequila was drowned by the fruit components, while the Pink Sapphire was sickly sweet with no discernible alcohol.

Two classic drinks, an Old Fashioned and a Tom Collins, were correctly made, if not outstanding and a lot stronger than the signature items. All drinks were HK$80 during happy hour, HK$120 otherwise, which is good value for the area.

The verdict: basically just another Lan Kwai Fong bar. However, the novelty mine concept and sweet, fruity signature drinks should appeal to young local customers.